Amphiphilic polymer capsules and related methods of interfacial assembly

ABSTRACT

Polymer capsules from amphiphilic graft copolymers comprising reactive, hydrophobic polyolefin backbones, and hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) grafts are produced by self-assembly of the polymers at the oil-water interface, and crosslinking the assembly with bis-cyclooctene PEG derivatives in conjunction with ring-open metathesis polymerization catalysts. The use of the graft copolymer architecture in capsule synthesis provides significant opportunities to tune both the surface properties, in terms of recognition, and the membrane properties, in terms of mechanical strength, encapsulation, and release.

This application claims priority benefit from provisional applicationSer. No. 60/500,549 filed Sep. 5, 2003, the entirety of which isincorporated herein by reference.

The United States Government has certain rights to this inventionpursuant to Grant No. CHE0239486 from the National Science Foundation tothe University of Massachusetts.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Polymer self-assembly is of considerable interest for the preparation ofwell-defined structures and materials. While polymer materials insolution are most commonly polydisperse random-coils, advances inpolymer synthesis, supramolecular assembly, and interfacial segregationhave generated polymer-based materials with structural features thatpossess unprecedented precision. When polymer assemblies containreactive functionality, opportunities arise for crosslinking, and thusstructural solidification, to give materials with wide applicability inboth materials science and medicine.

An increased understanding of materials at a system or phase interfaceoffers tremendous opportunities with regard to surfaces, thin films, andnano-structured materials. Amphiphilic polymers are particularly usefulfor mediation of the oil-water interface, as demonstrated by their richscience and commercial utility as polymer surfactants. Amphiphilic blockcopolymers are very interesting in this regard, as the range ofaccessible chemistries and molecular weights, for example in amphiphilicdiblock copolymers, leads to polymer assemblies, micelles, and vesiclesof considerable interest for encapsulation and controlled release.

The synthesis of amphiphilic graft copolymers has been the subject ofon-going research, as the graft copolymer structure can be used tointegrate into the polymer backbone functionality for subsequentchemical modification. Particular interest has been afforded copolymersof hydrophobic polyolefin backbones with covalently bound hydrophilicpoly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) pendant chains, the preparation of which canbe achieved by ring-opening metathesis copolymerization of cycloocteneand PEG-substituted cyclooctene macromonomers. The resulting PEGylatedpolycyclooctene copolymers can be designed or tuned as desired in termsof their backbone composition and graft molecular weight. In addition, avariety of grafted functionality and linker chemistry is accessible.However, the study of such compounds has not been extended to polymericarchitectures and the interfacial assemblies thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1. Schematic representation of interfacial activity of PEGylatedpoly(cyclooctene), and the bis-cyclooctene PEG used for crosslinking byring-opening cross-metathesis.

FIG. 2. (a) Confocal laser scanning micrograph cross-section ofmicrocapsules using graft copolymer 1 with Mn ca. 55K; the fluorescencearises from integration of cyclic olefin 3 into the graft copolymer; (b)projection image showing accumulated cross-sections of two capsules; (c)a collapsed capsule membrane after introduction of ethanol.

FIG. 3. (a) Confocal laser scanning micrograph cross-section ofcrosslinked microcapsules using graft copolymer 1 with Mn ca. 80K; thesmall dark circles represent capsules outside the focal plane and werenot included in the analysis, (b) Statistical analysis of FIG. 3 aplotting capsule diameter versus capsule number, using 68 capsules inthe calculation.

FIG. 4. With reference to examples 20a-e, crosslinking of anazide-functionalized copolymer, in accordance with this invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In light of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention toprovide various graft copolymers and/or related architectures andmethods of their production and/or assembly, thereby overcoming variousconcerns of the prior art, including those outlined above. It will beunderstood by those skilled in the art that one or more aspects of thisinvention can meet certain objectives, while one or more other aspectscan meet certain other objectives. Each objective may not apply equally,in all its respects, to every aspect of this invention. As such, thefollowing objects can be viewed in the alternative with respect to anyone aspect of this invention.

It is an object of the present invention to provide, contrary to theprior art, a copolymer compound with grafted functionality interactivewith one or more phases of a multi-phase environment.

It can be another object of the present invention to provide, inconjunction with the preceding, a graft copolymer with a range ofpendant polymeric components, the identity of which is limited only bysynthetic technique and desired phase interaction.

It can be another object of the present invention to provide, inconjunction with the preceding and contrary to the prior art, a graftcopolymer for interfacial self-assembly and/or encapsulation of a phasecomponent and/or material dispersed or otherwise contained therein.

Other objects, features, benefits and advantages of the presentinvention will be apparent from this summary and its descriptions ofvarious embodiments, and will be readily apparent to those skilled inthe art having knowledge of various polymerization, encapsulation and/orassembly techniques. Such objects, features, benefits and advantageswill be apparent from the above as taken into conjunction with theaccompanying examples, data, figures and all reasonable inferences to bedrawn therefrom.

In part, the present invention is a method of using a graft copolymerfor interfacial assembly and/or encapsulation. Such a method comprises

-   (1) providing a mixture of a first fluid phase/component and a    second fluid phase/component at least partially immiscible in the    first phase/component; and-   (2) preparing a graft copolymer with polymerization of one or more    monomeric components introduced to the mixture or as provided with a    phase/component of the mixture. As demonstrated below, a graft    copolymer can interfacially assemble to provide a three-dimensional    molecular capsule or structure about or encapsulating one of the    phase/components.

In certain embodiments, as illustrated below, the graft copolymercomprises an aliphatic backbone component and one or more componentspendant thereto with a linker moiety. Likewise, in certain embodiments,the aliphatic component can be polyolefinic or comprise one or moreunsaturated bonds. The pendant component(s) can also be polymeric,linked to the backbone component with a moiety or a combination ofmoieties more or less stable under hydrolytic or cleavage conditions.Structure and/or composition of the backbone and pendant components canbe varied by design or for a particular end use application. Forinstance, the backbone component can be varied by length, molecularweight and/or degree of unsaturation for a particular phase interactionor association. Likewise, one or more pendant components can vary bymolecular weight and functionality. Illustrating the latter, a pendantpoly(alkylene oxide) component (e.g., PEG or a propylene analog) isamphiphilic, the effect of which in a given fluid mixture can bemodified by component length or number of repeating units, molecularweight or end group functionality.

Without limitation, an especially useful polymer useful with thisinvention can be prepared as described below by the ring-openingmetathesis copolymerization of cyclooctene and PEG-substitutedcyclooctene macromonomers. Nonetheless, various other graft copolymerscan be prepared from a range of other cycloalkenes (e.g., cyclopenteneand cycloheptene) or bridged cycloalkenes (e.g., norbornene), each ofwhich can be optionally substituted as would be known to those skilledin the art, and the corresponding poly(alkylene oxide) orPEG-substituted cycloalkene macromonomers. Without limitation, referenceis made to example 3. Such cycloalkenes, macromonomers and precursorsthereof are limited only by their compatibility with the catalyticsystem utilized herewith. Accordingly, graft copolymers can alsocomprise other pendant components including but not limited tooligopeptides and hydrocarbons linked to the aliphatic backbonecomponent by a more hydrolytically-stable group, such as an ether,amide, or less hydrolytically stable group, such as an ester. As shownbelow, such pendant components and the linker moieties are availablefrom the corresponding cyclic olefin/cycloalkene derivatives. Withoutlimitation, reference is made to examples 1, 4 and 9.

In preferred embodiments, such a method of interfacial assembly and/orencapsulation further comprises crosslinking the assembled graftcopolymers to further develop or modify the interfacial assembly andresulting architecture. In certain such embodiments, crosslinking can beachieved upon introduction of the graft copolymer or subsequent thereto,in conjunction with use of the ring-opening cross-metathesis catalyst ofthe type described herein. In certain such embodiments, crosslinking canbe achieved with a bis-cycloalkene component corresponding to thebackbone component and/or the pendant component linked thereto. Withoutlimitation, reference is made to example 11. Alternatively, a reactivependant graft component can be used to crosslink the graft copolymers.For example, pendant methacrylate groups can crosslink copolymers underappropriate photochemical conditions. See examples 14 and 16.

The interfacial assembly and encapsulation of this invention can beconsidered as relating to polymer interactions with or as introduced toa fluid component mixture in the context of polymeric assembly.Accordingly, the present invention can also be directed to a system forpolymeric assembly. Such a system comprises (1) a first fluid phasecomponent; (2) a second fluid phase component at least partiallyimmiscible with the first component; (3) a polymer comprising analiphatic component with at least one substituent pendent thereto,wherein one of the phase components is interactive with the aliphaticpolymeric component and the other phase component is interactive withthe substituent. Such a substituent can comprise any of the pendentcomponents mentioned above or as described elsewhere herein. Regardless,in certain embodiments, at least one such substituent is amphiphilic.Without limitation, such a substituent can comprise a poly(alkyleneoxide) moiety, such as that derived via reaction with ethylene oxide orpropylene oxide. Poly(alkylene oxide) moieties can also be used tocross-link the aforementioned aliphatic components, whether suchlinkages are effected by ether, ester, amide or other linkage moieties.One such fluid phase/component can be aqueous, protic and/or polar, witha second phase/component at least partially immiscible therewith. Choiceof phase/components and polymer, as described above, can provide anassembled polymer architecture for encapsulated delivery of a materialsoluble, dispersed, partitioned or otherwise contained in one of thephase/components, upon removal of one or both fluid phases.

As demonstrated herein, 3-dimensional, capsule structures have beenprepared from PEGylated polyolefins using both oil-in-water systems(i.e., an oil or water-immiscible phase inside the polymeric capsule ina water-based system), as well as in water-in-oil systems. Accordingly,any oil or non-aqueous soluble material (e.g., therapeutic, analytic,diagnostic agent, etc.) can be encapsulated in an oil-in-water system,and any water-soluble material can be encapsulated in a water-in-oilsystem. Accordingly, the present invention can be used to encapsulatehydrophobic pharmaceutical molecules, as well as hydrophilic materials,or to encapsulate hydrophilic materials in the inverse case. Withoutlimitation, reference is made to examples 16-18.

As mentioned above, the polymer backbone component can be used to effectvarious structural properties of the resulting architecture, includingcrosslink density and, thus, permeability and release. Such parameterscan be controlled by the amount and type of crosslinker componentemployed. Further control can be afforded by varying the degree ofunsaturation in the backbone component. For instance, the PEGylatedpoly(cyclooctenes) prepared herein provide one double bond per 8 carbonatoms, as a result of the metathesis copolymerization employed. Such apolymer can be hydrogenated completely to providepolyethylene-graft-PEG, or hydrogenated partially give an adjustabledegree of unsaturation remaining along the backbone component. Increasedlevels of unsaturation, upon assembly at an oil-water interface, willafford a corresponding decrease in crosslink density (given thecatalytic system employed) and further opportunity to design or controlpermeability and release.

The cross-linking chemistry on the graft copolymers can be performedsuch that crosslinks with hydrolytically stable connectivities areformed (e.g., with ether or amide linkages) or relatively hydrolyticallyunstable crosslinks are formed (e.g., with ester linkages). Polymericmaterials of this invention with more stable crosslinkage can affordlonger carrier lifetimes, while those less stable are subject todegradation. Importantly, combinations of hydrolytically stable andhydrolytically unstable crosslinkers can be integrated into the samecapsule structure in order to refine capsule permeability, release andrupture profiles. Without limitation, reference is made to examples 4,11 and 14.

As a related consideration, the composition and structure of the graftpolymers of this invention can provide a capability for release fromboth capsule periphery and interior. For example, hydrolysis and/orcleavage of a pendant component from the polymeric component can changethe permeability of the assembled polymeric structure and contribute tothe effective release of an encapsulated material. Where the pendantcomponent and the encapsulated material both provide end-use function,such a dual or multiple release can be used to enhance desiredtherapeutic performance or effect.

In accordance with the preceding, the present invention also provides adiverse class of graft copolymers comprising a backbone component andone or more components pendant thereto with a linker moiety. Suchcopolymers can be crosslinked with components of the sort describedherein. Copolymerization, with optional crosslinking, in a suitablebi-phasic system affords interfacial assembly and provides a3-dimensional structure or configuration of such compounds.Incorporation of a material or component into one or both system phases,with copolymerization, provides a composite or composition comprisingthe graft copolymer structure/configuration and a deliverable/releasablematerial/phase component.

As mentioned above and indicative of the broader compositional andmethod-related aspects of this invention, the assemblies and capsuleformation of this invention can be illustrated with PEGylatedpolyolefins at the oil-water interface, using graft copolymers thatcontain, for example, in one embodiment an average of one PEG chain persixteen carbon atoms of the backbone. The combination of interfacialactivity and backbone reactivity of the copolymers leave them amenableto capsule formation. FIG. 1 depicts segregation to an oil-waterinterface to generate capsules with crosslinked membranes. Indeed, anumber of chemistries are accessible on the unsaturated backbone.Ring-opening cross-metathesis chemistry, an extremely useful methodologyin small molecule synthesis, was used to generate the desiredcrosslinking, as this can be performed under mild conditions withoutdisruption of the initial assembly. Samples of bis-cyclooctenyl PEG wereprepared for this crosslinking chemistry, by reaction of two equivalentsof carboxylic acid functionalized cyclooctene with α, ω-PEG-diol undercarbodiimide coupling conditions. These difunctional molecules are, likethe graft copolymers, interfacially active, and upon addition ofruthenium benzylidene catalyst react with the polymer assembly byring-opening cross metathesis.

With reference to the following examples, such polyolefin-graft-PEGcapsules can be produced by dissolving graft copolymer 1 of a range ofmolecular weights (M_(n) from about 15-about 200 K, with apolydispersity index (PDI) of 1.8) and crosslinker in toluene, addingGrubbs' Generation II catalyst²¹ to the mixture, and transferringaliquots of this mixture into water. The heterogeneous mixture is shakenfor 15 minutes to produce crosslinked capsules that swell in both waterand organic solvents, owing to their amphiphilic nature, and areelastomeric as a result of the crosslinked membrane. The capsule densityis tunable by choice of organic solvent: e.g., toluene-filled capsulesfloat on water, while capsules filled with higher density solvents (i.e.trichlorobenzene) stand on the bottom of the flask.

Fluorescence confocal microscopy (Leica inverted confocal microscope)was used to visualize the segregation of these polymers to the oil-waterinterface. Only a very faint contrast at the interface was observed onthe as-prepared copolymers due to their lack of fluorescence emission.Accordingly, a fluorescent cyclooctene derivative was prepared throughesterification of 5-hydroxycyclooctene with rhodamine B (Compound 3 inFIG. 2), with the monomer integrated into the amphiphilic graftcopolymer by copolymerization with cyclooctene and the pegylatedcyclooctene macromonomer. See examples 7 and 8. The functional grouptolerance of the catalyst proved very valuable for the preparation ofthis fluorescent polyolefin. Confocal images of the fluorescentamphiphilic graft copolymer in oil-in-water biphasic systems (FIG. 2 a)reveals a strong preference of the graft copolymer for the interface, asindicated by the emission at 556 nm at the equator of an oil droplet inwater. The capsules can be adjusted in size, (e.g., from about 40microns down to about 500 nm) depending on assembly conditions, and canbe optimized in terms of size dispersity. (Reference is made to FIGS. 3a-b.) The capsules are hollow, and can be filled with reagents andmaterials of appropriate solubility.

A three-dimensional reconstruction fluorescence confocal micrographcross sections of the capsules is illustrated in the digital image ofFIG. 2 b, to demonstrate their spherical nature and complete coverage bythe polymer. FIG. 2 c confirms the effective crosslinking of the graftcopolymer by replacing the two-phase oil/water mixture with the mutuallygood solvent ethanol. Under such conditions, the capsules do notdissolve away. Rather, the collapsed crosslinked membrane can beisolated and visualized clearly. Preliminary atomic force microscopy(AFM) images, performed on capsules dried on silicon substrates,evidence the presence of a thin polymer membrane on the droplet surface.

The polymer capsules described herein are useful in a range ofencapsulation and release applications, and benefit from the graftcopolymer architecture used in their synthesis. The same architectureprovides significant opportunity for integration of a large number anddiverse range of functional groups onto the capsule surface, such groupslimited only by their amphiphilicity and their ability to promote, ornot deter, interfacial assembly. The PEGylated polycyclootene capsulesare believed biocompatible given the presence of the PEG grafts. Suchproperties can be modified and enhanced through the integration ofoligopeptides into these structures, further affecting membranemorphology and permeability.

EXAMPLES OF THE INVENTION

The following non-limiting examples and data illustrate various aspectsand features relating to the compounds, compositions and/or methods ofthe present invention, including the assembly of graft polymericstructures having various pendant phase-interactive functionalities, asare available through the synthetic methodology described herein. Incomparison with the prior art, the present compounds, compositionsand/or methods provide results and the data which are surprising,unexpected and contrary to the prior art. While the utility of thisinvention is illustrated through the use of several polymeric compoundsand molecular components, moieties and/or functionalities usedtherewith, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatcomparable results are obtainable with various other compounds andcompositions, as are commensurate with the scope of this invention.

Instrumentation. NMR spectra were collected on a Brüker DPX 300spectrometer (referenced to CDCl₃): ¹H at 300 MHz and ¹³C at 75 MHz. UVdata was obtained using a Hitachi U-3010 spectrophotometer at a scanrate of 60 nm/ml. Molecular weights and polydispersity indices wereestimated using gel permeation chromatography in DMF (0.01 M LiCl, 0.5mL/min) and referenced against linear polystyrene standards. The systemutilized three-columns (Polymer Laboratories 300×7.5 mm, 2 Mixed-D, 50Å) and a refractive index detector (HP 1047A). Confocal images wereobtained using an inverted microscope with TCS SP2 confocal system(Leica). Atomic force microscopy (AFM) images were obtained using aDigital Instruments Dimension 3100 atomic force microscope, ElectrosprayIonization (ESI) mass spectroscopy was performed on a Brüker Esquire˜LCinstrument. Matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization massspectroscopy was performed on a Brüker Reflex III.

Materials. Cyclooctene, cyclooctadiene, succinic anhydride (99%), andlithium aluminum hydride were purchased from Alfa Aesar.m-Chloroperoxybenzoic acid (MCPBA) (77%), 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP)(99%), 1,3-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) (99%), polyethylene glycol (MWca. 2000), Rhodamine B (90%), and dodecyl vinyl ether (99%) werepurchased from Aldrich.1,3-bis-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-2-(imidazolidinylidene)dichloro(phenylmethylene) (tricyclohexylphosphine) ruthenium waspurchased from Strem Chemical.

Example 1a

Copolymerization of macromonomer and cyclooctene for synthesis ofcopolymer 1. 0.50 g (0.52 mmol) of the PEGylated macromonomer (preparedas in Example 2 with equimolar amounts of cyclooctene succinic acidester and PEG) was weighed into a small tube and degassed under vacuumwhile stirring at 45° C. 58 mg (0.52 mmol) of cyclooctene was injectedinto the vessel under N_(2(g)). 3.52 mg (4.14 μmol) of Grubb'sGeneration II catalyst was weighed into a small vial, degassed, anddiluted with 1.04 mL of dry dichloromethane under N_(2(g)). The catalystsolution was introduced by syringe, and the mixture was stirred at 45°C. Upon vitrification, the reaction was terminated using ethyl vinylether, and a small amount of CH₂Cl₂ (˜1 mL) was added to improvestirring. The contents were then precipitated into cold hexane,filtered, and dried under vacuum to yield 0.42 g (84%) of copolymer 1.¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ 5.34 (br, olefin 2H), 4.86 (br s, 1H), 4.22 (t, 2H),3.5-3.7 (complex, br m), 3.36 (s, 3H), 2.61 (br m, 4H), 2.32 (br s),1.94 (br s), 1.50 (br s), 1.26 ppm (br s); ¹³C NMR(CDCl₃) δ 172.7(ester), 172.3 (ester), 130.0, 130.8, 129.3, 74.7, 72.3, 70.9, 69.4,64.2, 59.4, 34.4, 33.0, 30.0, 29.7, 29.5, 28.8, 25.6 ppm. IR (NaClplate) 2922, 2867, 1733 (ester), 1456, 1349, 1300, 1250, 1111, 1040,968, 860 cm⁻¹. GPC (DMF w/0.01% LiCl vs. linear polystyrene standards)M_(n)=330,000 g/mol, M_(w)=515,000 g/mol, PDI=1.56. Regardless ofmonomer identity or choice of catalyst, polymerization enroute to theassemblies of this invention can be effected as described above and inseveral of the following examples.

Example 1b

Alternatively, a methacrylate monomer (see ex. 15) can also be used,with encapsulation possible as provided in example 16. PEG 750 (m˜16)macromonomer (0.50 g, 0.53 mmol), cyclooctene (0.05 g, 0.43 mmol), andcyclooctene methacrylate (0.04 g, 0.11 mmol) were combined in a reactiontube. 0.13 mL of a 0.04 M 1-hexene solution in dichloromethane was addedto the reaction followed by 0.35 mL of dry dichloromethane. In aseparate vial, 1.8 mg Grubbs' Generation III catalyst was diluted with0.2 mL dry dichloromethane. Both the reaction mixture and catalystsolution were subjected to two freeze/pump/thaw cycles followed byaddition of the catalyst solution to the reaction mixture. The mixturewas stirred at 40° C. until vitrification (3 min). Approximately 1 mL ofdodecyl vinyl ether was added to terminate the polymerization anddichloromethane was added to dilute the polymer solution. The productwas precipitated into cold hexane, isolated, and dried under vacuum toyield 0.38 g (64%) of polymer. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ 6.12 (s), 5.59 (s), 5.36(br m), 4.87 (m), 4.33 (s), 4.23 (m), 3.37-3.70 (br m), 3.37 (s), 2.64(br m), 1.94, (br m), 1.63 (br m), 1.25 (br m); GPC(CHCl₃, relative topolystyrene standards) M_(n) 20,700 Da, M_(w) 42,200 Da, PDI 2.04.

Example 2

Synthesis of bis-cyclooctene PEG (2). Succinic acid mono-cyclooct-4-enylester (2.55 g, 11.2 mmol), poly(ethylene glycol) (9.00 g, 4.50 mmol) ofca. 2000 a.m.u., and N,N-dimethylaminopyridine (110 mg, 0.90 mmol) werestirred in dry CH₂Cl₂ (30 mL) under N_(2(g)). In a separate flask,dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (1.96 g, 9.50 mmol) was dissolved with pyridine(1.18 g, 14.9 mmol) and CH₂Cl₂ (10 mL); this solution was added bysyringe to the reaction mixture and stirred for 24 hours at roomtemperature under N_(2(g)). The mixture was washed with 1 M HCl_(aq) andconcentrated. The product was dissolved in water and extracted withhexane/ethyl acetate. The aqueous phase was extracted with CH₂Cl₂, driedover MgSO₄, concentrated, and dried under vacuum overnight to yield thebis-cyclooctene PEG product (10.3 g, 95%) as a white, waxy solid; ¹H NMR(CDCl₃) δ 5.65 (m, 4H), 4.83 (m, 2H), 4.22 (t, 4H), 3.5-3.7 (complex, brm, ˜180H), 2.55-2.67 (m, 8H), 1.57-2.4 (m, 20H) ppm; ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃) δ172.4 (ester), 171.6 (ester), 129.8, 129.6, 76.8, 72.0, 70.6, 69.1,63.9, 59.1, 33.7, 33.6, 29.5, 29.2, 25.6, 24.9, 22.3 ppm; MALDI Peak MWm/z=2393.7 g/mol. Regardless of cycloalkene, linear moiety (e.g., ether,ester, amide, etc.) cross-linking component, coupling enroute to thebis-cycloalkenes described herein can be effected as described above orusing straight-forward modifications of such techniques, depending uponchoice of starting materials.

Example 3

In addition to cyclooctene, other cyclic olefins can be integrated intothe copolymer structure in place of, or in copolymerization with,cyclooctene. These cyclic olefins include but are not limited tosubstituted and unsubstituted versions of high-strain cyclic olefinssuch as cyclobutene, norbornene, norbornadiene, oxanorbornene, anddicyclopentadiene, as well as low-strain cyclic olefins such ascyclopentene, cycloheptene, and cyclooctadiene. Such cyclic olefins orcycloalkenes can be used, in accordance with the procedures of examples1 and 2, to prepare analogous PEGylated macromonomers, graft copolymersand crosslinking compounds.

Example 4

With reference to the macromonomer of example 1, a variety of covalentlinkages can be used for attachment of pendant moieties to thepolyolefin backbone. The advantage to diversity in linker functionalitylies in the ability to tune hydrolysis rates, and in turn controlrelease of encapsulants/agents from the capsule. Macromonomers andresulting copolymers can be prepared with ester, ether, and amidelinkages (with appropriate cyclic olefin derivatives and subsequentreaction with PEG) and extended to include urethane, urea, imide, andacrylate linkages.

Example 5a

PEGylated macromonomer 3 comprises an ether linkage to connect the PEGchain to the cyclooctene moiety, and can be homopolymerized, orcopolymerized with unsubstituted cyclooctene to give the PEGylatedamphiphilic graft copolymer 4. The synthetic procedure for synthesizinggraft copolymer 4 is analogous to the procedure of Example 1. The etherlinkage of polymer 4 significantly enhances the hydrolytic stability ofthe graft copolymer relative to the ester-linkage illustrated in Example1.

More specifically, PEG 1300 (m˜30) macromonomer (1.0 g, 0.7 mmol) andcyclooctene (0.2 g, 1.6 mmol) were combined in a reaction tube. 0.46 mLof a 0.05 M 1-hexene solution in dichloromethane was added to thereaction followed by 0.5 mL of dry dichloromethane. In a separate vial,2.0 mg Grubbs' Generation II catalyst was diluted with 0.2 mL drydichloromethane. Both the reaction mixture and catalyst solution weresubjected to two freeze/pump/thaw cycles followed by addition of thecatalyst solution to the reaction mixture. The mixture was stirred at40° C. until vitrification (5 min). Approximately 1 mL of ethyl vinylether was added to terminate the polymerization and dichloromethane wasadded to dilute the polymer solution. The product was precipitated intocold hexane, isolated, and dried under vacuum to yield 0.91 g (77%) ofpolymer. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ 5.36 (m), 3.37-3.97 (br m), 3.24 (br m), 2.43(br s), 1.94, (br m), 1.27-1.53 (br m); ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃) δ 130.2, 72.6,70.6, 70.3, 61.7, 32.6, 29.6, 29.1; ATR-FTIR 2921, 2852, 1468, 1344,1281, 1242, 1104, 963, 842 cm⁻¹.

Example 5b

The synthesis of macromonomer 3 (of Example 5a) permits a wide range invariation of the PEG graft length (m is the number of PEG repeat units)by polymerization of ethylene oxide from the alkoxide of5-hydroxycyclooctene 3. Varying the PEG chain length impacts a number ofproperties in the resulting copolymer 4, including relativehydrophilicity, and backbone vs. pendant graft crystallization. Inaddition, when considering the formation of capsules from these graftcopolymers, it is found that the capsule size and stability can beeffectively tuned by varying the length and number of the PEG grafts. Ingeneral, increased number and length of the PEG grafts results indecreased capsule size and increased stability before crosslinking.Generally, the use of fewer PEG grafts, and those of lower molecularweight, give capsules with significantly shorter shelf lives. Variationof these and other aspects of polymer architecture and composition canprovide capsules ranging from about 5 to about 80 μm in diameter.

Example 5c

More specifically, PEGylated monomer 3 can be prepared as follows. In aflame dried air-free flask, 6.36 mL (6.36 mmol) of a 1.0 M5-hydroxycyclooctene solution in tetrahydrofuran (THF) was added to 200mL of dry THF. The solution was titrated with a 0.5 M diphenylmethylpotassium solution in THF until a slight yellow end-point was observed(approx. 13.1 mL (6.55 mmol)). The cyclooctene alkoxide solution wasallowed to stir an additional 30 minutes at room temperature followed bycooling in an ice/salt water bath. Ethylene oxide (14.0 mL, 317.9 mmol)was condensed at −78° C., slowly warmed to room temperature, andtransferred to the cooled cyclooctene alkoxide solution under inertatmosphere. The reaction mixture was sealed and allowed to stir at roomtemperature for 16 hr. The macromonomer was purified by removing THF,dissolving the product in water, and washing with diethyl ether. Theproduct was removed from the aqueous portion by extraction withchloroform (3×), and the combined organic fractions were combined, driedover magnesium sulfate, and concentrated to a viscous liquid. Theconcentrate was dissolved in a minimal amount of ethyl acetate andprecipitated into a hexane/diethyl ether mixture. The white powder wasisolated and dried under vacuum to yield 10.4 g (74% yield) of puremacromonomer. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ 5.62 (m, 2H), 3.28-3.84 (complex, br m,228H), 2.54 (br s, 1H), 1.28-2.36 (complex br m, 11H); ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃) δ130.2, 129.6, 81.1, 72.7, 71.0, 70.7, 70.4, 67.8, 61.8, 34.2, 33.5,25.9, 25.8, 22.8; ATR-FTIR 3491, 2882, 1467, 1359, 1341, 1280, 1242,1100, 1060, 959, 841, 725 cm⁻¹; GPC (THF, relative to polystyrenestandards) M_(n) 2759 Da, M_(w) 2709 Da, PDI 1.11.

Example 6

As shown below, an amide-linked macromonomer can be prepared byfunctionalization of cyclooctene carboxylic acid 6 with mPEG amine 7 togive amide-linked macromonomer 8. The length of PEG-chain can be varied,with this monomer and with others herein, without limitation, over awide range of repeat units, with n in some embodiments ranging fromabout 2 to about 120 or greater.

More specifically, cyclooctene acid (0.15 g, 0.99 mmol), α-methyl,ω-amine polyethylene glycol 5000 (1.00 g, 0.20 mmol), anddimethylaminopyridine (12 mg, 0.10 mmol) were combined and diluted with6 mL of dry dichloromethane. In a separate flask, 0.21 g (1.02 mmol)dicyclohexylcarbodiimide was diluted with 4 mL dry dichloromethane andadded to the reaction mixture. The solution was allowed to stir at roomtemperature, under nitrogen, for 12 hours. Dicycloohexylurea precipitatewas filtered and the reaction mixture was washed with a 1 M HCl (aq)solution. The organic fraction was concentrated and dissolved in waterfollowed by washing with a hexane/ethyl acetate mixture. The organicphase was washed with water an additional two times. The aqueousfractions were combined and extracted three times with chloroform. Thecombined organic fractions were dried over magnesium sulfate andconcentrated to a viscous liquid. The concentrated product was dissolvedin a minimal amount of ethyl acetate and precipitated into cold diethylether. The macromonomer was isolated as a white powder and dried undervacuum to yield 0.91 g (89% yield) product. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ 5.92 (m,1H), 5.62 (m, 2H), 3.33-3.77 (complex, br m, 470H), 2.54 (br s, 1H),1.32-2.42 (complex br m, 11H); ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃) δ 179.8, 131.6, 130.5,72.7, 71.0, 70.7, 70.4, 67.8, 59.8, 45.5, 42.3, 34.2, 33.5, 25.9, 25.8,22.8; ATR-FTIR 2882, 2741, 1654, 1467, 1360, 1341, 1280, 1241, 1146,1100, 1060, 958, 841 cm⁻¹.

Example 7

Esterification of 5-Hydroxycyclooctene with rhodamine B. 260 mg (2.09mmol) of 5-hydroxycyclooctene, (Hillmyer, M. A.; Loredo, V. R.; Grubbs,R. H. Macromolecules 1995, 28, 6311.) 500 mg (1.04 mmol) of rhodamine B,and 1.5 mg (0.13 mmol) DMAP were stirred in dry CH₂Cl₂ (5 mL) underN_(2(g)). In a separate flask, 0.26 g (1.25 mmol)dicyclohexylcarbodiimide was diluted with 0.20 g (2.5 mmol) pyridine andCH₂Cl₂ (5 mL); this solution was then added by syringe to the reactionmixture and stirred for 24 hours at reflux under N_(2(g)). The mixturewas washed with 1 M HCl_((aq)) and concentrated. The product waspurified by column chromatography to yield 460 mg (75%) of 1. ¹H NMR(CDCl₃) δ 8.22 (m, 1H), 7.70-7.77 (m, 2H), 6.74-7.26 (m, 3H), 5.54 (m,2H), 4.71 (m, 1H), 4.46 (m, 1H), 4.10 (m, 1H), 3.58-3.67 (m, 8H),0.85-2.20 (br m, 22H) ppm; ³C NMR (CDCl₃) δ 164.6 (ester), 159.03,157.9, 155.65, 133.3, 133.0, 131.5, 131.4, 131.0, 130.5, 130.4, 130.3,129.8, 129.5, 129.4, 114.4, 113.7, 96.5, 96.2, 78.9, 46.2, 35.3, 34.2,33.3, 33.0, 30.8, 29.8, 26.1, 25.8, 25.5, 25.1, 25.0, 24.7, 23.1, 22.4,12.8 ppm; ESI mass spec. m/z 551.0; UV-Vis λ_(max)=556 nm.

Example 8

Copolymerization using rhodamine B labeled cyclooctene. PEGylatedcyclooctene macromonomer (0.50 g, 0.53 mmol) (MW ca. 950), cyclooctene(58 mg, 0.52 mmol), and rhodamine B labeled cyclooctene (3.1 mg, 5.3μmol) were weighed into a small tube and diluted with 0.2 mL dry CH₂Cl₂.The contents were subjected to two freeze/pump/thaw cycles and thenstirred at 40° C. under N_(2(g)). Grubbs' Generation II catalyst¹⁹ (3.52mg, 4.14 μmol) was weighed into a small vial, degassed, and diluted withdry CH₂Cl₂ (0.35 m/L) under N_(2(g)). The catalyst solution wasintroduced by syringe, and the mixture was stirred at 40° C. untilvitrified (approx. 15 minutes). The reaction was terminated usingdodecyl vinyl ether, and CH₂Cl₂ (˜1 mL) was added to improve stirring.The contents were precipitated into cold hexane, filtered, and driedunder vacuum to yield the fluorescent copolymer (0.46 g, 82%). ¹H NMR(CDCl₃) δ 5.34 (br, olefin 2H), 4.86 (br s, 1H), 4.22 (t, 2H), 3.5-3.7(complex, br m), 3.36 (s, 3H), 2.61 (br m, 4H), 2.32 (br s), 1.94 (brs), 1.50 (br s), 1.26 ppm (br s); ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃) δ 172.7 (ester), 172.3(ester), 130.0, 130.8, 129.3, 74.7, 72.3, 70.9, 69.4, 64.2, 59.4, 34.4,33.0, 30.0, 29.7, 29.5, 28.8, 25.6 ppm. IR (NaCl plate) 2922, 2867, 1733(ester), 1456, 1349, 1300, 1250, 1111, 1040, 968, 860 cm⁻¹. GPC (DMFw/0.01% LiCl vs. linear polystyrene standards) M_(n)=235,000 g/mol,M_(w)=313,000 g/mol, PDI=1.33. UV-Vis λ_(max)=556 nm.

Example 9

Numerous small molecule, oligomeric, and polymeric grafts can beattached to the polyolefin chain. These include amino acids,oligopeptides, polypeptides, poly(ethylene glycol) of a wide rangemolecular weight, alkyl chains of various lengths, polyesters,dendrimers of various composition and functionality (includingdrug-conjugated dendrimers), hyperbranched grafts, polyester-drugconjugates, monomeric and polymeric nucleic acids (i.e. DNA and RNA),methacrylate terminated PEG and polypeptides, methacrylamide terminatedPEG and polypeptides, and thiol-terminated PEG. Such grafts are limitedonly by cycloalkene precursor, reaction therewith and copolymerizationunder the catalytic conditions employed.

Example 10

In particular, this example illustrates integration of theRGD-containing oligopeptide, in its protected form, into a copolymer ofthis invention.

Copolymerization of Cyclooctene and Cyclooctene-GR(Pbf)GD(But)S(But)OHMonomer. A solution of cyclooctene (100 mg, 0.91 mmol) andcyclooctene-GR(Pbf)GD(But)S(But)OH monomer (100 mg, 0.101 mmol) inanhydrous CH₂Cl₂ (250 mL) was prepared in a reaction vial. A solution ofruthenium-based polymerization catalyst, “Grubb's Generation IIIcatalyst” (6.2 mg, 5.06×10⁻³ mmol) in anhydrous CH₂Cl₂ (250 mL) wasadded to the monomer solution via syringe to give an initial monomerconcentration of 2M. The initial monomer to catalyst ratio was 200/1.The vial was sealed and agitated at 40° C. for 2 min. The polymerizationwas allowed to cool to room temperature and ethyl vinyl ether (1 mL) wasadded to the vial. The reaction mixture was diluted with CH₂Cl₂ and thepolymer was isolated by precipitation into methanol (20 mL). The polymerwas obtained by centrifugation, washed with methanol, and dried undervacuum to yield a yellow/white solid.

Example 11

With reference to the synthetic procedure of example 2, a variety ofbis-cyclic olefin crosslinkers can be synthesized by varying themolecular weight of the PEG spacer. Alternatively, other bis-cyclicolefins containing norbornene, oxanorbornene, cycloheptene,cyclopentene, or cyclobutene moieties, prepared from the correspondingolefinic derivative, will efficiently crosslink the polymer assemblies.The choice of spacer is also not limited to PEG as a variety of otherpolymers such as but not limited to polypeptides and/or polyesters couldbe utilized to synthesize bis-cyclic olefin crosslinking agents.

Example 12

Examples 12 and 13 illustrate two bis-cyclooctene crosslinkers that havebeen synthesized and used to crosslinked polymer capsules byring-opening cross metathesis. Such monomers are significantly differentfrom the bis-cyclooctene crosslinker of Example 2 due to the amidelinkages that connect the spacer moiety and cyclooctene end-groups:bis-cyclooctene crosslinker 10 with amide linkages formed by reaction ofcarboxylic acid functional cyclooctene 6 and PEG diamine 9. Again, thelength of the PEG spacer can be varied over a wide range of n repeatunits: n can range between 1 and about 110, but certain bis-monomers aresynthesized with n between about 20 and about 50. In this range, thesynthesis of bis-cyclooctene 10 is analogous to the procedure of Example2. Bis-cyclooctene 10 is less susceptible to hydrolytic degradation thanthe ester versions due to the amide connectivity. This cross-linker canbe used when extended hydrolytic stability of the capsules is preferred.

More specifically, cyclooctene acid (1.2 g, 8.0 mmol), polyethyleneglycol 1000 diamine (2.0 g, 2.0 mmol), and dimethylaminopyridine (0.1 g,0.8 mmol) were combined and diluted with 20 mL of dry dichloromethane.In a separate flask, 1.2 g (6.0 mmol) dicyclohexylcarbodiimide wasdiluted with 10 mL dry dichloromethane followed by addition to thereaction mixture. The solution was stirred at room temperature, undernitrogen, for 12 hours. Dicycloohexylurea was filtered and the reactionmixture Was washed with a 1 M HCl (aq) solution. The organic fractionwas concentrated and dissolved in water followed by washing with a 50/50Hexane/Ethyl Acetate mixture. The organic phase was washed with water anadditional two times. The aqueous fractions were combined and extractedthree times with chloroform. The combined organic fractions were driedover magnesium sulfate and concentrated to yield 1.1 g (42% yield) of aclear, viscous liquid. ¹H NMR (d₆-DMSO) δ 7.72 (m, 2H), 5.62 (m, 4H),3.12-3.75 (br m, 98H), 1.98-2.40 (br m, 10H), 1.25-1.78 (br m, 12H);ATR-FTIR2882, 2741, 1654, 1467, 1360, 1341, 1280, 1241, 1146, 1100,1060, 958, 841 cm⁻¹.

Example 13

The following reaction illustrates another example of a bis-cycloocteneprepared and subsequently used to crosslink amphiphilic graftcopolymers. In this case, bis-cyclooctene 12 is prepared by reaction of5-hydroxycylooctene 5 and oligoethylene glycol dimesylate 11. Theresulting bis-cyclooctene is connected by ether-linkages, and is morehydrolytically stable than amide-linked crosslinker 10 of Example 12,and much more stable than the ester-linked crosslinker of Example 2.

More specifically, sodium hydride (1.8 g, 73.0 mmol) was weighed into anoven dried round-bottomed flask and diluted with 150 mL anhydrousdimethylformamide (DMF). 5-hydroxycyclooctene (8.0 g, 63.4 mmol) wasadded as a solution in 20 mL anhydrous DMF. This mixture was allowed tostir for 1 hour followed by the addition of triethylene glycoldimesylate (7.8 g, 25.4 mmol) in 30 mL of anhydrous DMF. The reactionwas stirred for 16 hr under nitrogen atmosphere. DMF and residual5-hydroxycyclooctene removed by vacuum distillation and the residual oilwas purified by column chromatography to yield 6.1 g (66% yield) ofproduct. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ 5.62 (m, 4H), 3.38-3.85 (br m, 12H), 1.27-2.35(br m, 22H); ³C NMR (CDCl₃) δ 130.2, 129.6, 81.1, 72.8, 71.0, 70.8,67.8, 34.3, 33.5, 25.9, 25.8, 22.8; ATR-FTIR 3015, 2926, 2857, 1467,1450, 1359, 1242, 1093, 1045, 988, 881, 725 cm⁻¹.

Example 14

Cyclooctene-methacrylates, to give crosslinking through the pendantgroup. Cyclic olefins containing methacrylate and methacrylamide havebeen synthesized and incorporated into copolymers of this invention.These functional groups allow for the rapid and efficient crosslinkingof polymer capsules using free-radical, photoinitiator systems. Thismethod permits precise control of crosslink density by varying theincorporation of the methacrylate or methacrylamide functional cyclicolefin in the copolymer. In addition, these radically crosslinkablecyclic olefins can be designed with degradable ester linkages which maybe useful for the release of drugs and biological entities. Covalentcrosslinking can also be carried out by incorporating thiol functionalolefins or peptides containing olefins with cysteine residues. Uponoxidation, thiols react to form disulfide crosslinks which arereversible when treated with appropriate reducing agents.

Example 15

Cyclic olefins containing methacrylate and methacrylamide pendant groupshave been synthesized and used for photo crosslinking. For instance,cyclooctene succinic acid ester 13 is reacted with hydroxyethylmethacrylate 14 using carbodiimide coupling conditions to yield theester-linked, methacrylate functional monomer 15. This monomer can becopolymerized with cyclooctene and/or PEG macromonomer to yield aphotocrosslinkable copolymer 16. This copolymer was used to synthesizethe Doxorubicin filled capsules described in Example 16

Monomer 15 can be prepared as follows. Cyclooctene acid (2.0 g, 8.8mmol), Hydroxyethyl methacrylate (1.2 g, 9.3 mmol), anddimethylaminopyridine (80 mg, 1.0 mmol) were combined and diluted with20 mL of dry dichloromethane. In a separate flask, pyridine (1.5 g, 19.4mmol) and dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (2.0 g, 9.7 mmol) were diluted with10 mL dry dichloromethane and added to the reaction mixture by syringe.The solution was allowed to stir at room temperature, under nitrogen,for 16 hours. Dicycloohexylurea was filtered and the reaction mixturewas washed with a 1 M HCl (aq) solution. The organic fraction was driedover magnesium sulfate and concentrated. The product was purified bycolumn chromatography to 2.7 g (90% yield) of product. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ6.09 (s, 1H), 5.92 (m, 1H), 5.63 (m, 3H), 4.78 (m, 1H), 4.31 (s, 4H),2.58 (m, 4H), 1.32-2.42 (complex br m, 14H); ³C NMR (CDCl₃) δ 172.3,171.5, 167.2, 136.0, 129.9, 129.7, 126.2, 76.2, 62.5, 33.8, 33.7, 29.5,29.2, 25.7, 24.9, 22.4, 18.4; ATR-FTIR 3018, 2932, 2861, 1720, 1638,1452, 1411, 1377, 1319, 1297, 1240, 1147, 1037, 970, 941, 885, 814, 728cm⁻¹.

Example 16

DOX-filled capsule. 1 mg Doxorubicin was dissolved in 1 mL toluene andone drop of this solution was transferred to an aqueous solutioncontaining 0.05 wt % polycyclooctene-g-PEG copolymer with 10 mol %methacrylate functionality. The mixture was shaken for 5 seconds afterwhich the capsule assemblies were allowed to float to the top of thesolution and the aqueous supernatant was purified of unused copolymer byrepeated removal and refilling with fresh DI water. One drop of anaqueous solution containing 10 mM Eosin Y and 115 mM triethanolamine wastransferred to the vial containing the doxorubicin filled capsules. Thevial was shaken for 5 seconds and then placed under white light toinduce the photochemical crosslinking. After 5 minutes of irradiation,the solution was purified by removing the aqueous supernatant followedby introduction of fresh DI water (3×). DOX filled capsules wereobserved by fluorescence confocal laser scanning microscopy.

Example 17

Free radical cross-linking of copolymers such as those shown in Example15 are susceptible to degradation by hydrolysis of the succinic acidesters. However, such structure offers a mechanism for controlledrelease of the capsule contents over a tunable time frame. In somecases, it is desirable for the capsule contents to be released over muchlonger times, with hydrolysis of crosslinks minimized. For this reason,methacrylamide functionalized cyclooctene 19 was prepared by thecarbodiimide coupling of 5-amino cyclooctene 17 and methacrylic acid 18,as illustrated below. The methacrylamide pendant group has been used tophotocrosslink polymer capsules, and the amide connectivity providesdramatically improved hydrolytic stability and slower degradation.

Example 18

Coumarin-filled capsule. 5 mg Coumarin 153, 25 mg bis-cyclooctenecrosslinker, and 2.5 mg of polycyclooctene-g-PEG (M_(n) 55K g/mol) weredissolved in 1 g of toluene. Approximately 1 mg of Grubbs' Generation IIcatalyst was added to this mixture and a small aliquot was transferredto vial containing 4 mL of DI water. The heterogeneous mixture wasshaken by hand for 5 seconds followed by shaking at 500 rpm for 15minutes in laboratory shaker. The aqueous phase was purified by repeatedremoval and refilling with fresh DI water. Coumarin 153 filled capsuleswere shown by fluorescence confocal laser scanning.

Example 19

Various examples, herein, describe covalent crosslinking of polymercapsules by a ring-opening cross metathesis reaction with theunsaturated polymer assemblies, a bis-cyclooctene crosslinker, and thewidely-known Grubbs' Generation II catalyst. It should also be notedthat the ring-opening cross-metathesis cross-linking reaction can becarried out using any of the three ruthenium benzylidene catalysts orvariations thereof commonly referred to as Grubbs' Generation I-IIIcatalysts, below. Such catalysts (with ligand and metal centervariations thereof) are known in the art, and are commercially-availableor can be prepared according to literature references. When usingcatalysts of this sort for interfacial cross-linking, the best resultswere obtained by the use of Grubbs' Generation III catalyst. Any suchcatalyst can be used as described herein or with straight-forwardmodifications of such synthetic techniques, depending upon solvent ormonomer choice, as would be understood by those skilled in the art.Likewise, other catalysts for ring-opening metathesis polymerizations,including Mo- and Os-based compounds, can be used.

Example 20a

This example illustrates the synthesis of a PEG-grafted polyolefincontaining a pendant azide functionality. This new polymer was preparedby the synthesis and polymerization of a novel azide functionalizedcyclic olefin 20. The copolymer has been synthesized with and withoutunsubstituted cyclooctene,

and has been shown to form polymer capsules using methods describedelsewhere, herein. FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of theinterfacial crosslinking of azide-functional copolymer 21 usingdiacetylene crosslinker 22. Although 22 is shown with a PEG spacer, thetype of spacer can be varied to include, without limitation,polypeptide, polyester, and other spacers. Most often, the crosslinkingis carried out using a diacetylene with a PEG spacer (n about 5- about50). Reaction of the respective azide and acetylene groups proceeds via(3+2) cycloaddition to afford triazole moieties, which can effectivelycrosslink the azide-functionalized amphiphilic graft copolymer 21 at thefluid (e.g., oil/water) interface. Copper sulfate and sodium ascorbatecan be included in the aqueous phase to increase the rate ofcrosslinking.

Example 20b

5-bromocyclooctene (13.5 g, 71.4 mmol) and sodium azide (23.2 g, 357.0mmol) combined in 150 mL of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). The reaction washeated to 110° C. and stirred for 5 hr. After cooling to roomtemperature, deionized water (150 mL) was added to the mixture and theproduct was extracted two times with diethyl ether. The combined organicfractions were dried over magnesium sulfate and concentrated. Theproduct was purified by column chromatography and yielded 8.1 g (75%yield) of product. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ 5.62 (m, 2H), 3.46 (m, 1H),1.32-2.39 (complex br m, 11H); ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃) δ 129.9, 129.7, 62.2,32.9, 32.0, 26.6, 26.0, 23.4; ATR-FTIR 3019, 2930, 2858, 2086, 1466,1446, 1368, 1346, 1318, 1294, 1251, 1219, 991, 926, 882, 726 cm⁻¹.

Example 20c

Optionally, a polymer with a pendant azide group can be prepared withoutcyclooctene monomer, as follows. PEG 2200 (m˜50) macromonomer (0.50 g,0.22 mmol) and 5-azocyclooctene (0.08 g, 0.51 mmol) were combined in areaction tube. 0.6 mL of dry dichloromethane was added to dilute themixture. In a separate vial, 12.4 mg (14.6 μmol) Grubbs' Generation IIcatalyst was diluted with 0.2 mL dry dichloromethane. Both the reactionmixture and catalyst solution were subjected to two freeze/pump/thawcycles followed by addition of the catalyst solution to the reactionmixture. The mixture was stirred at 40° C. for 1 hr. Approximately 1 mLof dodecyl vinyl ether was added to terminate the polymerization anddichloromethane was added to dilute the polymer solution. The productwas precipitated into cold hexane, isolated, and dried under vacuum toyield 0.41 g (71%) of polymer. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ 5.37 (m), 3.38-3.85 (brm), 3.23 (br m), 2.92 (m), 2.40 (br s), 1.99, (br m), 1.27-1.60 (br m);¹³C NMR (CDCl₃) δ 130.2, 129.4, 79.4, 72.5, 70.8, 70.5, 70.3, 68.0,62.4, 61.7, 34.0, 33.5, 32.3, 29.2, 28.4, 27.0; ATR-FTIR 2863, 2096,1466, 1343, 1280, 1242, 1103, 962, 842, 727 cm⁻¹.

Example 20d

A diacetylene, for cycloaddition with azide 20 can be prepared asfollows. Potassium tert-butoxide (5.9 g, 52.5 mmol) was weighed into anoven dried round-bottomed flask and diluted with 80 mL dry THF. Themixture was cooled using an ice-water bath and polyethylene glycol 300(7.0 g, 23.3 mmol) was added as a solution in 20 mL dry THF. Thesolution was allowed to stir for 30 min followed by addition of 15.6 mL(104.9 mmol) propargyl bromide (80 wt % in toluene) by syringe. Thereaction was allowed to stir for 1 hr at 0° C. and then at roomtemperature for an addition 12 hr. The mixture was diluted with brineand extracted three times with ethyl acetate. The combined organicfractions were dried over magnesium sulfate, concentrated, and furtherpurified by column chromatography to afford 5.1 g (42%) of a pale yellowliquid. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ 4.12 (d, 4H), 3.58-3.65 (br m, 28H), 2.39 (t,2H); ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃) δ 79.6, 74.7, 70.6, 70.4, 69.1, 58.4; ATR-FTIR3245, 2866, 1458, 1349, 1291, 1248, 1092, 1032, 947, 919, 843 cm⁻¹.

Capsule Preparation

Example 20e

Crosslinking via (3+2 Cycloaddition) can be achieved as follows. 5 mg ofazide-functional polycyclooctene-g-PEG copolymer and 100 mg ofpolyethylene glycol diacetylene were dissolved in 1 mL of toluene. In aseparate vial, 25 mg of copper sulfate and 25 mg sodium ascorbate weredissolved in 12 mL of deionized water. Three drops of the organicsolution was transferred to the water/catalyst solution and the vial wasshaken for 10-15 seconds followed by gentle stirring by hand. Afterapprox 15 min, the capsules were isolated by ultrafiltration orfractionation in separatory funnel.

Example 21

Aqueous phase encapsulation. The previous examples are of cases wherecapsules are formed with oil on the inside and water on the outside. Theinverse case can be prepared, where water is on the inside and theorganic phase is outside. For example, 25 mg bis-cyclooctene crosslinkerand 2.5 mg of polycyclooctene-g-PEG (M_(n) 55 K g/mol) were dissolved in1 g of water and a small aliquot was transferred to vial containing 4 mLof toluene. After shaking the mixture for 5 seconds, approximately 5 mgof Grubbs' Generation II catalyst was added to the mixture followed byadditional shaking at 500 rpm for 15 minutes in a laboratory shaker. Thecatalyst was removed by extraction of the toluene supernatant followedby introduction of toluene (3×) to give the crosslinked capsule.

Example 22

Regardless of phase configuration or identity of any particular phasecomponent, any of the polymers described herein can be interfaciallyassembled as provided in examples 16, 18 and/or 21. Likewise, as wouldbe understood by those in the art, one or more monomeric components canbe provided with or introduced to one phase component, with anappropriate polymerization catalyst added before or after introductionof a second phase component. Interfacial assembly proceeds, accordingly.

While the principles of this invention have been described in connectionwith specific embodiments, it should be understood clearly that thesedescriptions are added only by way of example and are not intended tolimit, in any way, the scope of this invention. For instance, thepresent invention can be applied more specifically to the interfacialassembly of graft copolymers other than those described herein, suchpolymers limited only by structure and composition of the polymericcomponents and their respective, corresponding phase interaction orassociation. Likewise, in addition to the agents described herein, thephase components of such a system can comprise various other compoundsor materials, including but not limited to agricultural pesticides,perfumes and detergents, for encapsulation by the assembled polymers.

1. A system for polymeric assembly, said system comprising: a firstfluid phase component; a second fluid phase component, said second fluidphase component at least partially immiscible with said first fluidphase component; and a polymer comprising an aliphatic component and atleast one substituent pendent thereto, wherein one of said first andsecond fluid phase components is interactive with said aliphaticpolymeric component, and said other fluid phase component is interactivewith said substituent.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein said substituentcomprises components selected from oligopeptides and derivativesthereof.
 3. The system of claim 2 wherein at least one of said pendentsubstituents is amphiphilic.
 4. The system of claim 3 wherein saidcomponent comprises a poly(alkylene oxide) component.
 5. The system ofclaim 1 wherein said aliphatic polymeric components are cross-linked. 6.The system of claim 5 wherein said cross-link comprises a poly(alkyleneoxide) component.
 7. The system of claim 1 wherein one of said fluidphase components is selected from aqueous, protic and polar components.8. The system of claim 1 wherein one of said fluid phase componentscomprises an agent partitioned therein.
 9. The system of claim 8 whereinone of said fluid phase components is removed.
 10. The system of claim 7wherein one of said fluid phase components is aqueous, and said pendentsubstituent comprises a poly(alkylene oxide) component.
 11. The systemof claim 10 wherein said other fluid phase component comprises ahydrophobic agent therein.
 12. The system of claim 11 wherein saidaqueous phase is removed and said polymer is assembled about saidhydrophobic agent.
 13. The system of claim 1 wherein said polymer is aring opening metathasis polymerization product of a cycloalkene and apoly(alkylene oxide) substituted cycloalkene.
 14. The system of claim 13wherein said polymer is the reaction product of cyclooctene and apoly(ethylene oxide)-substituted cyclooctene.
 15. The system of claim 13wherein said polymer is the reaction product of a cyclooctene and anoligopeptide-substituted cyclooctene.
 16. A method of using a graftco-polymer for interfacial assembly, said method comprising: providingfirst and second fluid phase components, said fluid phase components atleast partially immiscible one with the other, and providing a fluidinterface; providing a first cycloalkene monomeric component, saidcomponent comprising a pendent poly(alkylene oxide) substituent, saidsubstituent interactive with one of said fluid phase components; andpolymerizing said monomeric component, said polymer assembled at saidfluid interface.
 17. The method of claim 16 comprising a secondcycloalkene monomeric component.
 18. The method of claim 17 wherein saidsecond cycloalkene monomeric component comprises a pendent functionalityfor cross-linking with another monomeric component.
 19. The method ofclaim 17 wherein said second cycloalkene monomeric component comprises abis-cycloalkene component, said cycloalkene moieties linked with apoly(alkylene oxide) moiety.
 20. The method of claim 17 comprising athird cycloalkene monomeric component comprising a pendent functionalityfor cross-linking with another said third monomeric component.
 21. Themethod of claim 16 wherein at least one of said fluid phase componentsis removed after polymerization.
 22. The method of claim 16 wherein anagent is partitioned in one of said fluid phase components.
 23. Themethod of claim 22 wherein at least one of said phases is removed afterpolymerization.
 24. The method of claim 16 wherein said first monomericcomponent comprises cyclooctene, and said pendent substituent comprisespoly(ethylene oxide).
 25. The method of claim 24 comprising at least oneof a cyclooctene monomeric component, a bis-cyclooctene monomericcomponent comprising a poly(alkylene oxide) cross-linking moiety, and acyclooctene monomeric component comprising a pendent functionality forcross-linking.
 26. The method of claim 25 wherein said pendentfunctionality is selected from methacrylate, methacrylamide, acetyleneand azide.
 27. The method of claim 24 wherein said first fluid phasecomponent is selected from aqueous, protic and polar components, andsaid second fluid phase component is at least partially immiscibletherewith.
 28. The method of claim 27 wherein an agent is partitioned insaid second fluid phase component, said agent selected from therapeutic,analytic and diagnostic agents.
 29. The method of claim 28 comprisingremoving said first fluid phase component, said agent within saidpolymer assembly.
 30. A formulation capsule comprising a graftco-polymer of cyclooctene and poly(alkylene oxide)-substitutedcyclooctene.
 31. The formulation capsule of claim 30 wherein said graftco-polymer is the ring opening metathesis polymerization product ofcyclooctene and a poly(alkylene oxide)-substituted cyclooctene.
 32. Theformulation capsule of claim 30 wherein said graft co-polymer iscross-linked with poly(alkylene oxide) moieties.
 33. The formulationcapsule of claim 32 wherein said cross-linker comprises a linker moietyselected from acrylate, methacrylate acrylamide and triazole moieties,said triazole moiety the cycloaddition product of an azide and anacetylene.
 34. The formulation capsule of claim 30 wherein saidco-polymer comprises a bis-cyclooctene monomer.
 35. The formulationcapsule of claim 30 encapsulating an agent selected from therapeutic,analytic and diagnostic agents.
 36. A system for polymeric assembly,said system comprising: a first fluid phase component; a second fluidphase component, said second fluid phase component at least partiallyimmiscible with said first fluid phase component; and a graft copolymercomprising an aliphatic component and at least one substituent pendentthereto, wherein one of said first and second fluid phase components isinteractive with said aliphatic polymeric component, and said otherfluid phase component is interactive with said substituent.
 37. Thesystem of claim 36 wherein at least one of said pendent substituents isamphiphilic.
 38. The system of claim 37 wherein said component comprisesa poly(alkylene oxide) component.
 39. The system of claim 36 wherein oneof said fluid phase components is aqueous, and said pendent substituentcomprises a poly(alkylene oxide) component.
 40. The system of claim 39wherein said other fluid phase component comprises a hydrophobic agenttherein, and wherein said aqueous phase is removed and said polymer isassembled about said hydrophobic agent.